Liquid dispensing apparatus



June 20, A E. PAlGE LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 51, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 20, 1933. A. E. PAIGE LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 31, 1930 June 20, 1933. A, E PAIGE 1,914,817

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 31, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FfGlZ June 20, 1933. A. E. PAIGE 1,914,817

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 51, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG 1/.

Patented June 20, 1933 warren STATES PATENT evict.

ARTHUR E. PAIGE, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Application filed December 31, 1930. Serial No. 505,751.

My invention may be advantageously employed in apparatus for dispensing gasolene from curb stands, and particularly such apparatus wherein the discharge of liquid is effected by an electrically driven pump, 1n the stand, controlledby a switch, in the stand, operable by means of a flexlble niechanlcal connector, such as a push or pull wire or pull cable extending along a flexible liquid d1spensing hose to manually operative means for moving said wire or cable at a dlspensmg nozzle at the discharge end of said hose.

Ordinarily, such flexible connecting means are carried by the hose in eccentric relation to the latter, for instance, in a tube extending along the outer circumference of the hose, and such location creates a factor of variation in the length of the connector accordingly as the hose is straight or more or less bent, Therefore, an object and effect of my invention is to eliminate that variable factor by means supporting the flexible connector in coaxial position in the hose.

A further object and effect of my invention is to provide means to automaticallyeffect adjustment of the motion transmitting device above contemplated, connecting the spaced switch and valve so as to not only maintain the same in proper cooperative relation while permitting the hose to be flexed to the maximum degree necessary or. desirable for dispensation of liquid therethrough, but to also automatically compensate for wear and stretch of the parts.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In said drawings; Fig. I is a diagram,

partly in elevation and partly in section,

showing liquid dispensing apparatus con- Veniently embodying my invention.

Fig. 11 is an elevation of a curb stand embodying a form of my invention wherein the valve controlling the dischargeofliquid through the hose is located in a nozzle on the latter. v

F Illis a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. II, showing a motion transmitting and multiplying device connecting the spaced switch and valve. I

Fig. IV is a sectional view of the nozzle, taken on the line IV, IV in Fig. II.

Fig. V is a sectional view of said nozzle, taken longitudinally with respect to the hose.

Referring to Fig. I; the liquid to be dispensed may be lifted from a subjacent tank through the conduit 1 into the chamber 2 within the sight gage comprising the cylindrical glass wall 3 mounted on the base 4;. Said liquid may be discharged from said chamber 2 through the conduit 5 in said base 4 under control of the discharge valve 6 which controls the port 7 leading to the conduit 8, which is a flexible dispensing hose provided with the discharge nozzle 9.

Said liquid is conveniently elevated through said conduit 1 by the pump 11 which is operatively connected with the electric motor 12 under control of the electric switch 13. Said switch conveniently includes an evacuated glass tube containing a body of mercury 14 adapted to close the circuit between the terminals 15 and 16 of the pump circuit which is conveniently supplied with energy through the conductors 17 and 18.

As shown in Fig. I; said electric switch 13 is in spaced relation with the discharge valve 6 but mechanically connected therewith. Said switch is supported in the cradle 20 fulcrumed at 21 and having the lever arm 22 connected by the rod 23 with the head 25 of the corrugated metal bellows 26 which is connected at its lower end with the annular flange 27 on said base a Said head 25 is connected with said discharge valve 6 by the plunger 28, which is adapted to reciprocate in the guide 29, and is conveniently axially adjustable through said head 25, by the nuts 30.

The construction and arrangement thereof are such that said bellows 26 and its head 25 are in liquid tight relation with said base 4, but said bellows is capable of being collapsed to the extent limited by the tubular extension 32 on said base 4; which supports said guide 29.

Saidbellows 26 is normally distended to the position shown, to close said discharge valve 6, by the stress of the spring 34 encircling said extension 32 and bearing at its oposite ends respectively upon said base 4 and bellows head 25. The stress of said spring 34 upon said discharge valve 6 may be adjustably varied in'accordance with the position of said nuts 30 on said plunger 28.

The motion transmitting device connecting said spaced switch 13 and valve 6 includes the flexible connector 36, which may be a single wire or a cable formed of a plurality of fine wires twisted together, and which is connected at one end with the arm 37 on the lever 38 which is fulcrumed at 39 in said nozzle 9. Said flexible connector 36 is conveniently supported in coaxial relation with said dispensing hose conduit 8 by the tubular sheath 41 which may be conveniently formed of a closely helically wound wire, like a spring. Said sheath 41 is supported at short intervals throughout its length in coaxial relation with said conduit 8 by spacing elements 42 which are conveniently metal castings having axial tubular hubs 43 with three or more radial arms 45.

The motion transmitting means cooperating with said plunger 28 for actuating said discharge valve 6 and switch 13, conveniently include the tension spring 46 between said plunger 28 of said valve 6 and said flexible connector 36; affording automatically compensated adjustment therefor in relation to said switch 13 and valve 6.

In the construction and arrangement of my invention above described with reference to Fig. I the chamber 2 and the conduit 5 may be maintained full of the liquid to be dispensed; so that the purchaser can see through the transparent wall 3 when the liquid is being delivered. Such delivery may be effected by the operator inserting said nozzle 9 into the tank of an automobile, or other receptacle, and pressing said lever 38 to contemporaneously open the discharge valve 6 i and close the switch 13 to start the pump 11.

Such dispensing operation continues until the operator releases said lever 38 and permits said discharge valve 6 to be closed by the spring 34.

In order to permit said hose 8 to be quickly drained after each dispensing operation, as required by some municipal regulations with respect to gasolene dispensing apparatus, to leave the hose dry, after each dispensing operation and thus avoid the fire hazard of a hose covered with combustible material and filled with gasolene; I find it convenient to provide said base 4 with the air inlet 48 which opens into said base below the valved port 7, but extends upwardly therefrom a sufiicient distance to insure that the liquid shall not overflow through it.

However, some municipal regulations forbid the use of such a dry hose gasolene dispensing apparatus, and require that the dis pensation shall be controlled by a valve at the discharge end of the dispensing hose. Therefore,'I have shown in Figs. II to V inclusive an embodiment of my invention of the latter type.

Referring to Fig. II; the curb stand conyeniently includes an outer casing, comprising the base member 50 supporting the upper casing member 51 surmounted by the cap 52 and electric light globe 53. As indicated in Fig. II, the pump 11 with its electric motor 12 are conveniently supported in said base casing 50, and the casing member 51 incloses a flow meter 55 in the conduit 1 includmg mechanism adapted to turn the hands 56 and 57 with respect to the circular series of graduations 58 on the dial 59 to indicate the volume of liquid discharged through said flow meter to the sight gage 60 which has a chamber such as 2, within the glass cylinder 61. Said cylinder 61 is conveniently provided with the rotary indicator 62 which is adapted to be turned by the flow of liquid from the outlet of the conduit 1 in said chamber and which the purchaser may observe turning during each dispensing operation. The base 64 of said sight gage 60 has the liquid outlet conduit 65 communicating with the conduit 66'which is a flexible dispensing hose provided with the nozzle 67 which, as shown in Figs. IV and V, contains the discharge valve 68 which controls the flow of liquid through said hose 66 at the port 69 in said nozzle. Said valve is normally shut by the tension spring 71 which is connected to said valve at one end and to the screw 7 2 at the other.

Said valve 68 is adapted to be opened by means of the bifurcated plunger 74 which is detachably rigidly connected therewith, conveniently by engagement as a nut on the axial screw stud 75 of said valve. Said plunger 74 has rack gear teeth 76 on each of its bifurcations, engaging the gear pinion 77 which, as shown in Fig. IV, is journaled at one end in the bearing 79 in the nozzle 67. Said pinion is journaled at its other end in the removable cap 80 which has the screw thread 81 engaging said nozzle 67 and is sealed in liquid tight relation therewith by the gasket 82. Said pinion 77 has the annular flange 84 formed by a collar pressed thereon, and the gasket 85 interposed between said collar 84 and said cap 80 renders the joint between said pinion and said cap liquid tight.

Said gear pinion 77 projects through said cap 80 and is adapted to be manually turned by the handle 86 which has a circular series of teeth 87 adapted to engage the teeth of said pinion 77 in any relatively rotary position and said handle is detained in the position selected by means of the ball 89 which is pressed by the spring 90 into the circumferential groove 91 in the teeth of said pinion. Such arrangement permits said handle 86 to be set on said pinion at any desired angle to determine the extent of opening of said valve 68, by the hand of the operator grasping said nozzle 67 and said handle 86 together.

Said pinion 77 carries the drum 92 which is held in proper axial position thereon between the bifurcations of said plunger 74 and which may be loose enough to be moved axially but is prevented from turning on sald pinion by engagement with the teeth of the latter. The flexible connector 93 which may be a single wire or .a cable formed of a plurality of fine wires twisted together, is detachably rigidly connected at one end with said drum 92, conveniently by the set screw 94, and extends around said drum and through said nozzle '67 into operative engagement with an electric switch such as indicated at 13 in Fig. I or at 95 in Fig. 111, and said flexible connector 93 may include the tension spring 96 cooperating with sald plunger 74 to afford automatically compensated adjustment therefor in relation to sa d valve 68 and switch 95. As shownin Fig. III, said flexible connector 93 is ad ustably detachably connected by the screw 98 with the head 99 of the corrugated metal bellows 100 so that when said handle 86 is moved by the operator in the direction of the arrow marked thereon in Fig. V, said valve 68 18 thereby opened and said bellows collapsed to the extent of that opening movement, automatically compensated by the extension of said spring 96. Of course, the arrangement above described is such that the tension on said spring 96 may be varied by winding sa d flexible connector 93 more or less on said drum 92, and such adjustment may be efiected manually, when said valve 68 is in open position, for in that position said pinion 77 may be turned beneath the lowest rack teeth 7 6 on the plunger 74 without further opening movement of said valve; the maximum opening movement of said valve being limited by the location of said teeth 76 in said plunger.

Although said bellows head 99 maybe directly connected with an electric switch, like the bellows head 25 in Fig. I; I prefer to in terpose between said bellows head 99 and the electric switch 95, a motion transmitting device which is also a motion multiplying device. That device includes the pulley 101. which is carried by said bellows head 99 and is engaged in the bight 102 of the flexible connector 103 which is detachably rigidly sccured at one end, conveniently by the clamp screw 104, upon the normally stationary. but removable, cover 105 which incloses said bellows 100; so that every longitudin movement of said connector 103, effected by the handle lever 86, is double that imparted from the flexible connector 93 to said bellows head. 99. Said connector 103 extends over the idle pulley 106 to the bell crank lever 108 which is fulcrumed at 109 in said curb stand casing 51, and in order to maintain a proper tension on said connector 103, I find it convenient to provide the weight 110 pendant therefrom over said bell crank lever 108. However, a spring may be substituted for said weight.

Said bell crank lever 108 carries the cradle 112 supporting said switch 95, which is conveniently of the evacuated glass tube type including the two terminals 113 and 114 of an electric circuit, such as indicated in Fig. I; but adapted to energize the motor 12 indicated in Fig. 11, whenever said lever 86 is manually shifted as above described to open said valve 68.

Said curb stand shown in Fig. II may be provided with the hook support 116 for the hose 66 and its nozzle 67 when in idle position, and said support has the eye 117 for engagement with a padlock to prevent removal of said nozzle from such idle position, if desired.

As above noted; said spring elements 46 and 96 afford automatically compensated adjustment of the'motion transmitting device by which the switch and valve are actuated. However, as above described, each form of my invention includes means whereby. the motion transmitting device may be manually adjusted and, therefore, said automatically adjustable means may be omitted from simplified forms of my invention.

Therefore. I do not desire to limit myself to the specific details of construction or arrangement or method of operation above 'described, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein Without departing from the essential features of my invention, as defined in the appended claims I claim:

1. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination with a flexible hose; of an electric switch at the initial end of said hose; switch operating means at the discharge end of said hose; motion-transmitting means includin a flexible connector extending along the hose from said switch to said switch operating means, and means for supporting said connector with its axis in coaxial relation with said hose; whereby said switch may be controlled by an operator at the discharge end of the hose, regardless of fiexure of the latter.

2. Liquid dispensing apparatus as in claim 1, including means, independent of said switch, adapted to automatically stress said flexible switch connector to a predetermined position, when rel-eased 3. Liquid dispensing apparatus as in claim 1; wherein the flexible switch connector extends through the liquid passageway in the hose.

4;. Liquid dispensing apparatus including a flexible hose and a flexible connector extending along the hose; wherein the flexible connector extends through the liquid passageway in the'hose; and means supporting said connector with its axis in coaxial relation with said hose, throughout its lengtln 5. Liquid dispensing apparatus as in claim 1; wherein the flexible switch connector extendst-hrough the liquid passageway in the hose; and the means which supports said connector in coaxial relation with said hose, throughout its length, include a flexible tube with its axis in coaxial relation with said hose, and spacing elements between said hose and tube at intervals throughout their length.

6. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination with a flexible hose; of an electric switch at the initial end of said hose; switch operating means at the discharge end of said hose; motion transmitting means including a flexible connector extending along the hose from said switch to said switch operating means; and means for supporting said connector in coaxial relation with the axis of said hose; a valve at the discharge end of said hose, movable to control the dispensation of liquid therethrough; said flexible connector being operatively connected with said valve; and means, including a lever, movable to open said valve and axially move said flexible connector contemporaneously. i

7. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination with a flexible hose; of an electric switch at the initial end of said hose;

switch operating means at the discharge end of said hose; motion transmitting means including a flexible connector extending along the hose from said switch to said switch operating means; and means for supporting said connector in coaxial relation with the axis of said hose; means at one end of said flexible connector whereby it may be axially adjusted to vary its efliective length with respect to said hose.

8. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination with a flexible hose; of an electric switch at the initial end of said hose; switch operating means at the discharge end of said hose; motion transmitting means in cluding a flexible connector extending along the hose from said switch to said switch operating means; and means for supporting said connector in coaxial relation with the axis of said hose; means at both ends of said flexible connector, whereby it may .be axially adjusted to vary its effective length with respect to said hose. 7

9. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination with a flexible hose; of an electric switch at the initial end of said hose; switch operating means at the discharge end of said hose; motion transmitting means including a flexible connector extending along the hose from said switch to said switch operating means; and means for supporting said connector in coaxial relation with the axis of said hose; a valve at the discharge end of said hose movable to control the dispensation of liquid therethrough, said flexible connector being connected with said valve by means independent of said connector adapted to eflect axial adjustment of the latter with respect to said valve; and means, including a lever, movable to open said valve and axially move said flexible switch connector contemporaneously.

10. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination with a flexible hose; of a flexible connector extending along said hose and axially movable relatively thereto; means at the discharge end of said hose whereby said flexible connector may be axially moved; a bellows seal at the inlet end of said hose, operatively connected with said axially movable connector; a pump whereby said liquid is dispensed; an electric motor operatively connected with said pump; an electric switch in the motor circuit, adapted to control the operation of said pump; and a motion multiplying device between said bellows and said switch; whereby said switch may be operated through said bellows, and with a movement greater than the axial movement of said connector, by said means at the discharge end of said hose, regardless of the position of flexure of the latter; wherein the motion multiplying device includes a flexible connector operatively connected at one end to said switch and fixed at its opposite end and depending in a bight, and a pulley carried by said bellows and engaged in said bight; whereby the motion imparted to said switch is more than that imparted to said bellows by the loperating means at the discharge end of said iose.

11. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination with a flexible hose; of a flexible connector extending along said hose and axially movable relatively thereto; means at the discharge end of said hose whereby said flexible connector may be axially moved; a bellows seal at the inlet end of said hose, operatively connected with said axially movable connector; a pump whereby said liquid is dispensed; an electric motor operatively connected with said pump; an electric switch in the motor circuit, adapted to control the operation of said pump; and a motion multiplying device between said bellows and said switch; whereby said switch may be operated through said bellows, and with a movement greater than the axial movement of said connector, by said means at the discharge end of said hose, regardless of the position of flexure of the latter; wherein the motion multiplying device includes a flexible connector operatively connected at one end to said switch and fixed at its opposite end and depending in a bight, and a pulley carried by said bellows and engaged in said bight; whereby the motion imparted to said switch connector is double that imparted to said bellows by the operating means at the discharge end of said hose; and means adapted to automatically stress said switch to a predetermined position, when released.

12. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination with a flexible hose; of a flexible connector extending along said hose and axially movable relatively thereto; means at the discharge end of said hose whereby said flexible connector may be axially moved; a bellows seal at the inlet end of said hose, operatively connected with said axially movable connector; a pump whereby said liquid is dispensed; an electric motor operatively connected with said pump; an electric switch in the motor circuit, adapted to control the operation of said pump; and a motion multiplying device between said bellows and said switch; whereby said switch may be operated through said bellows, and with a movement greater than the axial movement of said connector, by said means at the discharge end of said hose, regardless of the position of flexure of the latter; wherein the motion mutiplying device includes a flexible connector operatively connected at one end to said switch and fixed at its opposite end and depending in a bight, and a pulley carried by said bellows in engagement in said bight;

whereby the motion imparted to said connector connected with said switch is double that imparted to said bellows by the operating means at the discharge end of said hose; and means adapted to automatically stress said flexible switch connector to a predetermined position, when released, including an oscillatory body carrying a movable member of said switch; and a weight pendant from said oscillatory body.

13. Apparatus as in claim 1; wherein the motion transmitting means include a rotary drum engaged with said flexible connector near one end of the latter; adapted to be adjusted to vary the effective length of said connector.

14. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination with a flexible hose; of an electric switch at the initial end of said hose; a nozzle provided with a valve at the discharge end of said hose, movable to control the dispensation of liquid thru saidhose; motion-transmitting means operatively connecting said switch with said valve, including a flexible connector and a rotary device journaled in said nozzle between said flexible connector and said valve and adapted to rotate upon an axis transverse to the axis of said connector and said valve and adjustably vary the relative position of said switch and valve by axial movement of said connector.

15. Apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the motion-transmitting means include a spring and the stress of said spring upon said flexible connector may be variably determined by adjustment of said rotary device.

16. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination with a flexible hose; of a flexible connector extending along said hose and axially movable relatively thereto; means at the discharge end of said hose whereby said flexible connector may be axially moved; a pump whereby said liquid is dispensed; an electric motor operatively connected with said pump; an electric switch in the motor circuit adapted to control the operation of said pump; and a motion multiplying device between said flexible connector and said switch, including a pulley movable by and with said flexible connector; a second flexible connector extending from said switch in a bight around said pulley; and means for holding stationary the end of said second flexible connector remote from said switch; whereby axial movement of said first flexible connector imparts a greater axial movement to said second flexible connector and to said switch.

17. Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein the switch is carried by a bell crank lever and said secondary flexible connector is held in operative relation with said bell crank lever and switch by a tension device at the movable end of said secondary flexible connector.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this thirtieth day of December, 1930.

ARTHUR E. PAIGE. 

